An experienced natural history and botanical illustrator, Lizzie’s work appears in books and magazines around the world, on postage stamps and mugs.
She lives very happily in Hay on Wye, and works her garden studio surrounded by plants and birds.
Finding out what I’m working on,
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This is the Comma butterfly, Polygonia c-album, one of my favourite UK species.
The latin name "c album" refers to the little white comma you see on the underside of the lower wings.
I love the undulating wing margins which make it instantly recognizable.
Although I did this illustration years ago, I`m still quite pleased with it, which isn`t always the case!
#comma #commabutterfly #butterfly #ukbutterflies #polygonia #naturalhistoryillustration #naturalscienceillustration #sciart #lepidoptera
This week`s blog is all about the utterly amazing week I recently had, teaching botanical illustration in Montserrat.
https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2025/03/montserrat-working-in-paradise/
Everyone I worked with was wonderful, the students were brilliant, and I fell head over heels in love with this gorgeous Caribbean island. Have a read to find out why...
#Montserrat #botanicalillustration #visitmontserrat #islandofmontserrat @montserratnationaltrust @visitmontserrat @ukotcf
Lizzie Harper Newsletter February 2025
Check out Lizzie`s Newsletter for the latest on her commissions, upcoming jobs, teaching dates, movies, blogs, and the chance to buy original illustrations.
https://mailchi.mp/aa11df83b85b/lizzie-harper-newsletter-february-2025
This plant is the Pung coolie Momordica charantia.
It`s another one i illustrated for a guide to the #medicinalplants of #Montserrat, and one i was lucky enough to see growing here.
It was smaller than I`d expected,but the flower and tendrils looked the same. Phew!
The next photo is the only where sabd beach in montsrrrat with incredible snorkeling. We had it to ourselves!
You have to do a pretty steep short hike to access it, through dry scrub and acacia. Very pretty and very hot!
The last picture is a rainbow lizard i saw on a rock as i returned from the beach. Very bold and very beautiful.
Today I saw this amazing tree, #Trumpetbush #Cecropia peltata, far taller than I`d anticipated, growing in situ in mezoic forest on #Montserrat. I knew the reverse of the leaves were white, but they`re far whiter than I realised. My #botanicalillustration of this plant looked right otherwise, phew.
The first photo shows the tree canopy way above the forest floor, it`s a pioneer species.
The upside down leaf of the trumpet bush in the photo shows how white it is. The locals use the keaves to predict rain, when the leaves on the tree show their white underside then rain is on the way.
Last photo is of the forest habitat and our guide Loydie
This is my ##botanicalillustration of the #pricklypear, common over Montserrat..the fruit is edible (once you remove the spines).
The third picture is Mpntserrat volcano taken from plymouth, in the exclusion zone. It`s unusual to have such a clear view.
Soundtrack by local hero Soca star Arrow
Montserrat is unbelievably beautiful. So friendly, too.
The hillsides are covered with mango trees and the pretty #Bushtea or #Quickstick #Gliricidia septum.
Such a treat to see it in real life, and such a relief that it looks more or less like my #sciart #botanicalillustration of it!
The last photo is of Isles bay where we swam under a sky of diving pelicans, royal terns, a brown booby, and a distant frigate bird. Heavenly.
Lucky enough to be working in #montserrat for week, teaching #botanicalillustration. So here`s my first #Caribbean #plant - #Leafoflife #Bryophylumpinnatum or #Kalanchoepinnata done for Montserrat National Trust. And a photo of #Antigua (were in transit still)
